Last weekend was one of the busiest weekends of the Caterham Festival, with the Caterham Carnival taking place on Saturday 8th June and the Food Festival and Waller Pain cycle ride on Sunday 9th drawing huge crowds.

The colourful parade set off from Caterham Dene hospital on Saturday and did a circuit of Westway Common before assembling in front of crowds of spectators for the official opening of this year's event. There were more stalls this year, representing local businesses, charities and organsations and the highlight of the arena events was the breathtaking falconry display.

Sunday's Food Festival was also a great success with the rain holding off to enable hundreds of people to enjoy the great variety of 'al fresco' food on offer from all over Europe. Although the weather was cloudy, conditions were perfect for the gruelling 'Waller Pain' cycle ride taking place just round the corner in Waller Lane.

'Open Caterham' this weekend will see numerous places open to the public such as the fabulous award-winning garden at 116 Burntwood Lane, the Miller Centre theatre and club in Godstone Road and the old Caterham Barracks in Caterham-on-the-Hill where there will be a two-hour guided tour at 1pm on Saturday starting at The Officers' Mess in Coldstream Road.

For more information about the Open Garden venues and the remaining Festival events go to www.caterhamfestival.org

Photo by Jon Harrison